Dance school celebrates three decades of Sunderland Empire shows

Thirty years of tapping and twirls will be celebrated in a twinkle-toed show.

Kathleen Knox School of Dance, based in the city centre, is marking three decades in the business with a show at Sunderland Empire.

Over the years, it’s nurtured the talents of many successful performers, including Ben Forster, who won ITV’s Superstar show and actress Alison Wright, who’s appeared in US show The Americans.

Recently, three of the dance school’s pupils – Michael Brown, Chileshe Stobbs and Nina Walsh, won categories in the IDTA Tyneside area bursary awards, meaning all three will be attending prestigious performing arts schools in Surrey and London,

Speaking about the success of the dance school, principal Kathleen Knox said: “I can’t believe it’s been 30 years already, and I couldn’t be more proud of how well we’ve done this year.

“The dance school is like my extended family – we work hard, but we also make sure that the pupils enjoy themselves. The children that have come here over the years have made friends for life and many of those that I taught as young children either still come to adult classes or have gone on to teach here.

“I will be sad to see Michael, Chileshe and Nina go, but I wish them every success. They are all talented and if they continue to work hard, they will have a bright future ahead of them.”

l The Kathleen Knox School of Dance 30th anniversary celebration show takes place at Sunderland Empire on July 22. Tickets are £13 and available from the Sunderland Empire Box Office on 0844 871 3022 or Kathleen Knox on 07960 946074.